LAHORE: A Pakistani court on Friday suspended an 18-month ban imposed on paceman Shoaib Akhtar by the country's cricket authorities for indiscipline.

A judge at Lahore High Court ruled that the 32-year-old Akthar should be allowed to play cricket until his appeal against the ban is heard.

Akhtar lodged an appeal with the court on Tuesday against an 18-month ban for indiscipline. The ban was originally for five years but was reduced last month.

"While accepting his application for interim relief (until the appeal is heard), the court has allowed Shoaib Akhtar to play cricket," Judge Zahid Hussain told the court in the eastern city.

"The petition will be heard after the summer vacation," which ends in September, he said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the decision.

However, he will still have to pay the fine worth seven million rupees.